Cyclists Speed Through Downtown McKinney at Bike the Bricks

McKINNEY (May 13, 2015) — Historic Downtown McKinney will be made over into a thrilling racetrack during Bike the Bricks on Friday, May 22. Spectators will have front-row seats as more than 500 cyclists from around the globe take to the bricks and tight turns of historic downtown at speeds up to 40 miles per hour in continuous races throughout the evening. Bike the Bricks, presented by Alfa Romeo FIAT of McKinney, has grown into the largest one-day cycling race in Texas and features nail-biting closed-course interval races, food, craft beer, festivities and a purse worth more than $25,000.

New and improved at Bike the Bricks

This year, free live music will be playing simultaneously during the race. Austin natives Jamestown Revival will headline the concert with a performance starting at 9:30 p.m. on the Mellow Mushroom stage located on Louisiana Street. A full list of entertainers can be found online. Those in attendance will also enjoy a beer garden featuring handcrafted ales from the Texas Hill Country by Real Ale Brewing Company, and food trucks like Cajun Tailgators, Ruthie’s Food Trucks, Steel City Pops, Mad Grill Pan Asian Fusion, Spoons Café and Cousins Main Lobster, which was featured on ABC’s Shark Tank.

Spectators will have a new viewing perspective with a Jumbotron screen located on Virginia Street to provide up-close footage of the races along with play-by-play coverage broadcasted around downtown. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for seating along the race route.

Limited VIP tickets are available for purchase and offer premium viewing access of the races, barbecue dinner and two drink tickets. VIP tickets are available on a first come, first served basis and can be purchased for $40.

Event Details

Warm-up laps for the race begin at 2:30 p.m. and the races kick off at 3 p.m. Admission to the event is free to the public, and free parking is available throughout the 11 parking lots surrounding the downtown square.

TAPS is providing free shuttle service to the event from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Visitors may park at Sheraton McKinney, the official hotel of Bike the Bricks, located at 1900 Gateway Blvd. TAPS shuttles will deliver riders to the intersection of Virginia and Chestnut Streets in downtown McKinney. Shuttles will run every 30 minutes.

The event is hosted by McKinney Main Street in partnership with McKinney Velo, a local competitive cycling organization. For additional information about Bike the Bricks, including volunteer opportunities, contact McKinney Main Street at 972-547-2660 or visit downtownmckinney.com.

About McKinney

McKinney, Texas, is unique by nature. The city is No. 1 on America’s Best Places to Live list published by Money Magazine. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, McKinney has a current population of more than 155,000. Established in 1848, the city is located 30 miles north of Dallas and is the county seat of Collin County. McKinney offers award-winning schools, a vibrant historic downtown, diverse housing options, a robust economy and a uniquely beautiful natural setting, with rolling hills and lush trees. Visit the city’s website at mckinneytexas.org.